Injection apparatus



June 8, 1948. c ws o 2,442,758

INJECTION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1946 3 filjuane firevlstmn 37 Eg Law?atenteoi June 8, 1948 so STAT-E5551 PATENT OFFl -IQE 2,442,758INiiEoTri'oN APPARATUS Harry Duane- Gi'evijston, Chicago, IIL, as'signorto Cieviston and flomiiany, hm, :(lhicag'm 111., a corporation of'lllinoi's Application Januafi "5, 1946, serial No. 639339 1101mm. (01.128- 218) This invention relates to an i-inpiio'ved 'fl'ii'id dispensingdevice; more particularly to an iniroved apparatus for dischargingsterile ffiuids into a body Without contamination, and whicheffi'ciently permits the utilization of certain Hesirable technique.More sp' eifical-li' the invention relates to an improved ffiuiddisfinsirig Tappa'ratus designed primarily to replace the "agnve'ntionalhypodermic syringe; s'aid apparatus consisting of an inexpnsiveiconstructed ampul that may be factory sterilized servingaslafiiisjpo'sable barrel; and. a simple appncawrro-uo1'a said amp'ui,with a. 'miniinumn'urnbe'r of inoivlrig parts, yet providing theessential elements of finger grip and plunger, I

While the invention is described harem with special reference tohypodermic injection for medical pur oses, it 'iS to be understood theinvention is adapted for use whereversiufilar efficiency or technique ofinjection is de from which it will be apparepmhat thefinstant inventionhas 'a, Wide field of industrial utility,

The use of the conventional hypodermic syringe for injecting mugs intothehurnanbo'dy possesses certain disadvantages. The Syrihg'efepeatedlymust be sterilized, with attendant wastfrequently oil solutions, steri'lizati syringes results in giamage to hot Wate due to the action of theoil. use perforce requires 'asniration of a d on of age of time.Medicaments used forinjectiqnai e den of measuring exactly the closehewishes to RPlY Medicaments for injection c ustornaIriiy ajresub pliedto physicians in multiple or single dose containers for use with asyringe. The [conventional multiple dose package bonsists of .a.rubber-stoppered glass ial. To Withdraw-apart: tion of the vialscontents a,ir mus-twbe injected into the vial. Frequently this causeseruptioniof the stopper and loss of expensive medicaments. The injectionof air may contaminatetherresidual solution. Multiple dosevialsixsuallfshow some sediment or discoloration of the contents beforethey are entirely used, man-y times-re quiring the last few cubiccentimeters-6f somtion to i be discarded. Another disadvantage of thistype container is thattiivo sterilize d dermis needles must beuse'd'inste'aii of eas s and the contents drawn a wasterfulnvera ge isfr lientl'ysuphlfeg'l '2 needle to aspirate a lose from the are anotherto make the injection. V I

Asingle dqse of megiicament is u 't f nv. rim re i nrfiat i i it sl vtimes "causesloss'o'f solution. Eigtre ne' care i necessary ,0iililiaite all the contents ,o'f vtl 'e an afiixifil tjo fi ifffset theof solution'that clings I en pro'vifleiiiii hich, V eexteht; a, ethediadvantages-firevmasiy fs'tated. "ese nnals, owever, are not ada'iitei--'to use certain iin'bc'irta-rit injection techniques. i eamamentsuseqg' very pds'e'nn tffrtigs. SOYI1e-imist be f rectlyinto a'blood Vessel461" speayahsorption into the-body. "others must he inject'eummamusculajilyforielatiiielyslowabsorption. it is nec ssary, in maneases, for the physician to know Whether thep'oint-of mehypodermm-'neql'e is inside 'a, ibloodwesselbefore proceeding with the injection.When-anordinafiy syringe is-Hsfi the-physician-m'erely retracts the'iilun'ger short distance menus seems is insertek'i Merlin-the body, and.if blood. globules appear in thesyr' mge, he iserelatively certain-theneedle has penetratea a blood vessel. If hewis'he's t'omakean intramuscular injection he iml's't shift fill'e'll''edle until no lol' 'a'( dglobll-ls appear upon such test. The previous 1 construction of singledose ampu-lsljoes not hermit the physician to make this test.

it desirable, therefore, to provide an lapparat'us for -makinghypodermic infections that wiuhave hone-of the'disa-dvan'tages mentionedabove. 4

A rime objec't of my invention isto provi e an improved easily assembledapparatus for injecting a full and exajct' dos'e be medicament into ahow-Without contamination"; njo oiiver'aitio'n-bf aspiration beingrequiredto fill-saidabparatus; and said apparatus beingcapable arwwdmwmg a sample-er body fluid thereby permitting the use'of 'ceitaiindesirable tchniqne.

Another object Of-lily invention-is toprovide an improved 1 ifactor y-filled anti sterilized mph, charged {withas exactidos'e 0r medicamentwhich may be discharged-into a may without contain; nation by the use ofa simpleapplicator-end including in'an'sfor aspiratmg" asampre speedyfluid, yet; mer pensively constructed so as to he disposable after use.

anotnerobjec't- 50f my inveli'tlohls' 116 11556 vide an improvedapplicator for use with a medicinal ampul, simply constructed with aminimum number of parts, and which does not require sterilization as itcannot contaminate the solution Within the ampul.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from areading of the following disclosure and an examination of the drawing,in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved medicinal ampul orcartridge as it appears when fully wrapped and ready for commercialdistribution and use;

Figure 2 is a plan View of my improved medicinal applicator in openposition as it appears before insertion of an ampul;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the open applicator;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the complete injection apparatusready for use;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the applicator; and

Figure 6 is an exploded view in perspective of a portion of theapplicator showing the end of the plunger and associated parts.

Like reference characters are used to designate similar parts in thedrawing and in the description of the invention which follows.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, Figure 1 discloses anampul of medication Ill. The ampul I includes a tube II made from aninert, preferably transparent material such as glass. The tube I I isclosed at one end by a plug I2 made from any inert, resilient materialhaving high sealing qualities such as rubber. The plug I2 has an annularflange I3 which, when a hypodermic needle is being inserted through theplug, prevents the latter from being forced down the tube I I. Theannular flange I3 extends into a lip it which is cemented to the outsideof the tube II. The lip I4 cemented to the tube II aid in preventing theeruption of the plug I2 when pres,- sure is developed within the tube. Awrapper I5, made from a material such as Pliofilm, hermetically sealsthis end of the tube I Ito prevent contamination of its contents by theatmosphere. The wrapper I can be quickly loosened by removing a tape I6.

The other end of the tube II is not plugged, but is constructed with anannular flange I! of greater diameter than the flange I3. As-will beapparent below, the flange I'I acts as a stop when the ampul is insertedinto the applicator. This end of the tube I I is also hermeticallysealed with a wrapper I8 to protect the contents of the tube fromcontamination. The wrapper I8 is similar to the wrapper I5 and can bequickly loosened by removing the tape I9.

A piston 28 is positioned within the tube II. Said piston 20 is madefrom an inert material, such as rubber, having high sealing qualitiesyet being flexible enough to permit ready reciprocation of the pistonwithin the tube. A male screw 2| protrudes from the rear face of thepiston to furnish a connection to a reciprocating plunger. A smalldepression or dimple 22 is centered in the forward face of the piston 20to receive the rear point of a hypodermic needle when the piston ispushed full forward. The piston 20 divides the tube II into afluid-filled section 23 and an air-filled section 24.

The applicator 25 holds the ampul I0, furnishes a grip for theoperator's hand, and provides the means for reciprocating the piston 20.The applicator 25 includes a finger grip 26 and a plunger 21. The fingergrip 26 includes two plates, a finger grip plate 23 and a plungerhousing plate 29, that are connected in hinged fashion by the hinge pin38. Circular, axially-aligned openings 3| and 32 are formed in theplates 28 and 29 respectively. The opening 3I is of such radius as tocatch and seat the flange I! when the ampul I8 is inserted through theopening in assembling the apparatus. A washer 33, made of a resilientmaterial such as rubber, may, if desired, be fitted within the opening3I to cushion the flange IT.

The finger grip plate 28 is provided with a looking stud 34 constructedwith a head 35 and pivoted upon a pin 36. The plunger housing plate 29is constructed with a pair of spring jaws 31 to receive and lock thestud 34 when the applicator is closed.

The forward end of the plunger 21 consists of a collar 38 constructedwith a female threaded tap 39 centered in the forward face. This femalethreaded tap 39 joins with the male screw 2I to form the connectionbetween the piston 20 and the plunger 27. The rear end of the plunger 21consists of a flat round button 40 which serves as a thumb press to aidthe fingers of the operator in holding the applicator and pressing theplunger forward with the use of only one hand. The plunger 21 is held bythe plunger housing M which is integrally formed upon the plate 29. Theplunger housing 4I is pierced by the plunger bearing 42 which fitsclosely about the plunger 21 but not so tightly as to prevent easyreciprocation. The plunger bearing 42 is of sufiicient length to steadyand guide the plunger 2'! directly down the center axis of the ampul II)when the plunger is pushed forward. Thus the plunger collar 38 cannotcome in contact with and contaminate the walls or contents of the ampulID. The plunger bearing 42 is enlarged in radius at its forward end toform the collar receiving cavity 43. When the plunger 21 is fullyretracted the plunger collar 38 is drawn into this cavity 43 so that theplunger is fully behind and clear of the opening 3I in the finger gripplate 28. The full retraction of the plunger 2! permits the plate to beswung open without catching the plunger within the opening 3|.

The apparatus is completed for use by piercing the plug I'2 of the ampulII] with a conventional double pointed hypodermic needle 44. The rearpoint 45 of the needle 44 protrudes from the rear face of the plug I2 adistance just suflicient to clear the channel through the needle for thepassage of the injection solution. When the plunger 2'! is pushed fullforward this protruding point 45 is received into th dimple 22 in theface of the piston 28 thus permitting the discharge of a full and exactdose of medicament. A knurled knob 46 is formed on the needle 44 toprovide ease in handling the needle and to limit its extension throughthe plug I2.

In assembling the entire apparatus for use, the hermetic seals I5 and I8are first removed from the ampul Ill. The plunger 21 of the applicator25 is fully retracted and the plates 28 and 29 are opened. The ampul I8,plugged end foremost, is inserted through the opening 3I until theflange I1 is seated upon the resilient washer 33 in the opening 3i. Theplates 28 and '29 are then closed and the locking stud 34 is engagedwith the spring-jaws 31, thereby locking the assembly into an operativeunit.

The hypodermic needle 44 is inserted to pierce the plug I2. The plunger21 is moved forward until the collar 38 touches the male screw 2I of,

The apparatus is now readyfor use. The opcrater-has full control of theassembly, and by'retracting the plunger may ascertain whether the needleis properly positioned in the patient. The plunger is pushed fullforwardthus injecting-all the contents of the ampul, a full, exact doseor medicament, into the body of the patient. The hypodermic needle iswithdrawn, the apparatus disassembled, and the exhausted ampul removedand discarded. The applicator does not require sterilization before itmay be used again.

Thus it is apparent from the foregoing disclosure that the objects of myinvention have been accomplished. It is to be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritof my invention or the scope thereof as set forth in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention and il-lustrate'd its utility, Iclaim:

'1. An ampul package for hypodermic injection purp'dses, consisting of abarrel, a flange upon one end of said barrel adapted to lock said barrelinto an applicator, a pierceable plug sealing the other end of saidbarrel, a flange upon said plug of lesser diameter than said flange uponthe other end of said barrel, a lip extending 'from said plug flange andcemented to the outside of said barrel, a piston in said barrel dividingthe same into two compartments, fluid in the compartment adjacent theplugged end, a male screw projecting from said piston toward the flangedend of said barrel for engagement with a female threaded tap, aplurality of wrappers hermetically sealing the ends of said barrel, andtapes securing said wrappers over said barrel.

2. An ampul package for hypodermic injection purposes comprising abarrel, a flange upon one end of said barrel, a pierceable plug in theother end of said barrel, a flange upon said plug extending into a lipover the outside of said barrel, a piston in said barrel, a male screwprojecting from said piston toward the flanged end of said barrel, fluidbetween said plug and said piston, and a plurality of wrappers over theends of said barrel.

3. A package for injection purposes, comprising a tube, flange means onsaid tube for retaining the same in an applicator, a pierceable plug inone end of said tube, a piston in said tube, means for fastening saidpiston to a plunger, and fluid filling said tube between said plug andsaid piston.

4. An applicator for dispensing the contents of a flanged ampul providedwith a piston having a male screw thereon, consisting of: a plunger; afemale threaded tap in the end of said plunger for engagement with saidscrew; a bearing member for aligning said plunger; a finger grip forconvenience in operating said plunger, said finger grip being hingedlyconnected with said bearing member and having a recess therein forseating the flange on said ampul; a lock stud hingedly connected withsaid finger grip; and spring jaws on said bearing member for engagingsaid lock stud, whereby said ampul may be locked in said applicator.

5. An applicator for dispensing fluid from a flanged ampul containing apiston, comprising a plunger, means for locking said piston to saidplunger, a housing for guiding said plunger, a grip member hinged tosaid housing, means on said :grip member for retaining said 1 ampul, and

means for-"locking said-housing to said;griptmember, whereby said.plunger :is aligned with said ampul. j

6. A hypodermic -injection apparatus consisting of a plunger; a femalethreaded tap in one end of said plunger; a plunger housing-platecontaining a bearing for aligning said plunger; a fingergrip'platehingedlyfastened tosaid plunger housing plate;-springjawsformedih saidplunger housing plate; a locking stud hingedly fastened to said fingergrip plate and engageable with said spring-iaws for locking-said fingergrip plate and said plunger housing plate together; a circular openingin said finger grip. plate co-axially. aligned withsaid bearingin saidplunger housing .plate when-said plates are locked together; circularrecesses, concentric with said circular .o'pening, countersunk-in saidfinger grip plate and said .plunger housing plate; a tube extendingthrough said circular opening; aflange, integrallyformed upon one end ofsaidtube, seated in said circular recesseswhereby said-tube is'ali'gned.coeaxially withsaid plunger; apierceable plug in the other end of saidtube; aflange' upon said .plug extending into a lip over the outsidesurface of saidtube and cemented-thereto; a piston withinsaid tubedividing the same into two compartments; fluid in the compartmentbetween said piston and said pierceable plug; a male screw projectingfrom said piston and detachably engaged with said female threaded tap insaid plunger; and a double ended hypodermic needle piercing said plug.

7. An injection apparatus comprising: a plunger; a plunger housingcontaining a bearing for guiding said plunger; a finger grip memberhinged to said plunger housingymeans for locking said finger grip memberto said plunger housing; a fluid container; a projection upon one end ofsaid container to be clasped between said finger grip member and saidplunger housing for retaining said container in alignment with saidplunger; means to retain said projection between said finger grip memberand said plunger housing; a piston within said container; means foroperatively connecting said piston and said plunger; a pierceable plugin the free end of said container; and fluid conveying meanscommunicating through said pierceable plug with the interior of saidcontainer.

8. A hypodermic injection apparatus consisting of a plunger; a femalethreaded tap in one end of said plunger; a plunger housing platecontaining a bearing for aligning said plunger; a finger grip platehinged to said plunger housing plate and having a circular openingtherethrough; jaws in said plunger housing plate; a locking stud hingedto said finger grip plate and engageable with said jaws for locking saidfinger grip plate and said plunger housing plate together, said circularopening in said finger grip plate being co-axially aligned with saidbearing in said plunger housing plate when said plates are lockedtogether; countersunk circular recesses concentric with said circularopening and said bearing in said finger grip plate and said plungerhousing plate, respectively; a tube extending through said circularopening; a flange integral with one end of said tube, said flange beingseated in said circular recesses, whereby said tube is alignedco-axially with said plunger; a pierceable plug in the other end of saidtube; a flange upon said plug extending into a lip over the outsidesurface of said tube and cemented thereto; a piston within said tubedividing the same into two compartments; fluid 1 together in operativeposition, and means for retaining the flanged portion of said flangedampul between said housing and said grip member in said operativeposition.

10. An applicator for dispensing the contents of a flanged ampulcontaining a piston, comprising: a plunger, means for locking saidpiston to said plunger, a housing for guiding said plunger,

a clamp member hinged to said housing, said 20 clamp member having anopening therein the configuration of which complements at least aportion of the flange of said flanged ampul, and means for locking saidhousing and said clamping member together in a clamped position, saidopening in said clamp member being axially aligned with said plungerwhen said applicator is in said clamped position.

11. In an injection apparatus including a plung er, a plunger housing, afinger grip member her ing an opening therein, and an ampul having aflange on one end thereof, means for retaining said ampul in saidinjection apparatus, said means comprising: hinge means connecting saidplung er housing to said finger grip member, whereby said housing andsaid member may be swung apart for the purpose of inserting said ampulinto said opening, and whereby said housing and said member may beclasped together for the purpose of retaining said flange of said ampultherebetween.

H. DUANE CREVIS'I'ON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,678,991 Marschalek July 31,1928 2,176,041 Pittenger Oct. 10, 1939 2,345,302 Smith Mar. 28, 1944 252,371,667 Arena et al Mar. 20, 1945

